Posted by Jedi on September 1, 2005, at 0:12:32
In reply to Re: Are Benzodiazepines Depressing?, posted by Paulbwell on August 31, 2005, at 20:53:32
> I took Clonaz for near 2 years(4-6mgs day) and found it VERY effective for panic, but it made me depressed, and have terrible, excess salivation, to the point where i would dribble down my chin :(. mmmmmm
> Valium now and working on things.Hi Paulbwell,
Here is an abstract of a Canadian study which recommends that for long term use of the highly potent benzodiazepines (e.g., alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam) dosage should be limited to 2mg per day in long term use. I've been taking 1mg of clonazepam for social and generalized anxiety with no side effects. I realize of course that some doctors will use a much higher dose. However, I believe this is where the side effect problems come in. Also: dependence, rebound anxiety, memory impairment, and discontinuation syndrome become more of a problem at higher long term dosages.
Link:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15078112&query_hl=3
J Clin Psychiatry. 2004;65 Suppl 5:7-12. Related
Issues in the clinical use of benzodiazepines: potency, withdrawal, and rebound.
Chouinard G.
Centre de Recherche Fernand Seguin, Psychopharmacologie, Departement de Psychiatrie, Universite de Montreal, Hopital Louis-Lafontaine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. psychopharm.unit@mcgill.ca
...
" High-potency benzodiazepines have replaced low and medium potency benzodiazepines in all benzodiazepine clinical indications due to their greater therapeutic effects and rapid onset of action. Differences in distribution, elimination half-life, and rate of absorption are important considerations when choosing a high-potency benzodiazepine. Typically, a benzodiazepine with long distribution and elimination half-lives is preferred. A maximum dose of 2 mg/day of any of the high-potency benzodiazepines when given for more than 1 week is recommended. Although as a class benzodiazepines act rapidly and are well tolerated, their use presents clinical issues such as dependence, rebound anxiety, memory impairment, and discontinuation syndrome."
Take care,
Jedi
poster:Jedi
thread:547042
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050827/msgs/549526.html